Politics

OUR POROUS BORDER WORRISOME- DAPO ABIODUN

Published

5 years ago

June 25, 2019

As the 6 South Western Governors deliberate on the way forward on issues bordering on insecurity at a Stakeholders Security meeting focusing on Western Nigeria, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has disclosed that a lot needed to be done to put an end to the porous border in the country, saying that the illegal influx of aliens is worrisome.

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who made this known at a Security Summit organized by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN)held at the Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, Ibadan, said that the porous borders the country currently operate allows for the influx of people from the West African Sub region, noting that it was pertinent to have a means of identifying the aliens immediately they come in through the borders.

” Our borders allow for the influx of people from the West African Sub Region, which also means that we cannot be to sure of their purpose of coming into Nigeria and more possibly our dear state.

” This are the issues that we have, we have the influx of illegal aliens coming in through our borders, because our borders are very porous, perhaps, we need to begin to consider some form of identifying these people when they cross our borders, our neighboring countries are not as tolerant as we are as regards to migration across border lines,” he said

Prince Dapo Abiodun affirmed his administrations support for the establishment of the state police, commending security agencies and community leaders for the roles they played at reducing the ugly trend of insecurity.

” We in Ogun State support the establishment of the state police, we appreciate it that each state has its own peculiarities, Ogun state is called the gateway state because we are a gateway to at least 4 other states and also share international borders

“Recently, we’ve had skirmishes with nomadic herdsmen who have established a route that goes through Ogun State and find their way to Lagos, but we thank God that through our law enforcement agencies and community leaders, this skirmishes have been nib in the bud,” he said.

Prince Abiodun also noted that his expectations from the summit include a clear road map for the security of the South Western region with measurable milestones, and a periodic review to track how well security in the region had improved, adding that the issue of insecurity was of utmost importance to the South West Governors.

He disclosed that fighting crime wasn’t just an issue of arms and ammunitions, armored personal carriers but that their was a nexus between illiteracy,capacity building, unemployment, education, drug abuse and security, adding that those were the issues governors must fundamentally deal with.

Abiodun however disclosed that his administration had come up with some approaches that could tackle the issues, saying that a portal that would see to the registration of unemployed skilled youths was on the way.

He further disclosed that aside the portal to be opened, his administration was looking at the domestication of the local content law which would mandate all companies coming into the state to employ citizens of the state and that parcel of lands would be allocated to a minimum of 10,000 youths, saying that a reduction in the number of unemployed youths would help reduce the crime rate.

In his welcome address, the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde while describing the issue of insecurity in the South west as a snake on the roof that could not be left alone, said two key issues that stood out in his mind as he prepared for the meeting were issues of kidnappings and the growing tensions of farmers and herdsmen in the South Western communities.

He noted that he was glad that the federal government was finally given due consideration to the creation of state police, saying that the advantages of community policing far outways whatever fear people might be expressing against it.

Makinde however noted that the country had reached a point in its National Consciousness where it could no longer tarry, adding that their couldn’t be any form of development if the environment wasn’t secured.

In their separate remarks, the Governors of Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun states commended the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria for coming up with the summit at a time the Governors Forum and the National Economic Council were deliberating on security, saying that they all support the formation of State Police.

The governors also noted that they were leaving behind partizan issues for the sake of their region, affirming that their collective goal was the security of their space.

Related Topics:coverstory dapo Abiodun politics

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Politics

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

Published

1 day ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.

Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.

Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.

“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”

Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”

Politics

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Published

1 day ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.

In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.

“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.

He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.

He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.

Politics

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.

Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.

“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.

The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.

“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”

The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.

“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.

“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.

“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”

The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.

“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”

Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.

On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.

He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.

Source: Daily Independent